Eintracht Frankfurt interested in bringing Joselu (36) back to the Bundesliga | OneFootball

Eintracht Frankfurt are reportedly considering a surprise reunion with former striker Joselu as the Bundesliga club reassesses its attacking plans following the collapse of Ritsu Doan’s proposed move to Saudi Arabia. According to Sky Germany – as relayed by FT and transfermarkt.de – Frankfurt have been in contact with the 36-year-old for several days and are examining the possibility of bringing him back to the RheinMain metropolis.

Joselu is currently available on a free transfer after his contract with Qatari side Al-Gharafa expired at the end of June. Union Berlin are also reportedly interested, while Lazio, Valencia and Sevilla have emerged among the veteran striker’s other potential destinations. FT reports that Valencia and Sevilla have already submitted offers. Frankfurt, by contrast, had not yet made a concrete proposal at the time of the latest update.

Joselu is nevertheless said to favor a return to the Bundesliga.

Recent transfer complications shift SGE calculus

Eintracht hope to sign another attacker before the transfer window closes. A second loan move for Arnaud Kalimuendo had been among the options under consideration after the French forward spent the second half of last season in Frankfurt. Nottingham Forest are now reportedly demanding more than €30m for the 24-year-old, however.

Such a fee would represent a club-record investment for Eintracht and appears considerably more difficult to finance without the proceeds from an expected Ritsu Doan sale that ended up falling apart at the last minute. Joselu – who will cost nothing as a free agent – therefore offers a drastically different solution.

Joselu could return 13 years after Frankfurt spell

The Stuttgart-born Spanish international is no stranger to German football. Frankfurt first signed Joselu on loan from Hoffenheim for the 2013/14 campaign. Then only 23, the striker registered 14 goals and three assists across 33 competitive appearances for the RheinMainAdler. He subsequently represented Hannover 96 before continuing a career that eventually took him through Stoke City, Newcastle United, Espanyol and Real Madrid.

Joselu enjoyed the greatest success of his career during the 2023/24 season in Madrid, helping Real win both La Liga and the Champions League before joining Al-Gharafa. He also formed part of the Spain squad that won Euro 2024. Across his previous spells with Hoffenheim, Frankfurt and Hannover, Joselu accumulated 79 Bundesliga appearances, scoring 22 goals and supplying eight assists.

Now 36, the veteran would represent a short-term solution rather than another major investment in Frankfurt’s attacking future.

Frankfurt continue exploring attacking market

Joselu is not the only forward recently associated with Eintracht. Karlsruher SC talent Louey Ben Farhat, PSV attacker Esmir Bajraktarevic and San Lorenzo forward Rodrigo Auzmendi have all been discussed as possible additions, though reported talks for Ben Farhat have failed to advance significantly.

Frankfurt’s need for another attacking option remains intertwined with the broader squad construction outlined in Get German Football News’ 2026/27 Eintracht Frankfurt tactical preview. The club had hoped that outgoing business could provide additional flexibility during the closing phase of the window.

GGFN | Peter Weis